Education Resources

Health Highlights: April 24, 2013

Here are some of the latest health and medical news
developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

H7N9 Flu One of 'Most Lethal' Viruses So Far: WHO

The virus causing the current bird flu outbreak in China is one
of the "most lethal" flu viruses ever seen, according to World
Health Organization officials.

Health experts are especially concerned that the H7N9 virus
jumps from birds to people more easily than the H5N1 virus that
appeared in 2003 and has since killed 360 people worldwide, Dr.
Keiji Fukuda, WHO's top influenza expert, said at a media briefing
in Beijing, the
Associated Pressreported.

Another cause for worry is that H7N9 infects birds without
causing noticeable symptoms, which makes it difficult to track its
spread.

"This is definitely one of the most lethal influenza viruses we have seen so far," said Fukuda, the APreported.

The H7N9 virus has infected more than 100 people in China. Most
of them have become seriously ill and more than 20 have died. On
Wednesday, Taiwan reported its first confirmed case of H7N9 bird
flu in a man who became sick after returning from a visit to
China.

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Study Identifies Riskiest Meats

Ground beef and chicken cause more foodborne illness-related
hospitalizations than other meats, according to a new study.

Chicken nuggets, ham and sausage pose the lowest risk, according
to Center for Science in the Public Interest researchers who
examined more than 33,000 cases of foodborne illness, the
Associated Pressreported.

The analysis used more than 12 years of U.S. government data on
outbreaks of salmonella, E. coli, listeria and other pathogens
linked to specific meats.

To identify the riskiest meats, the researchers ranked them
based on which contamination was most likely to lead to
hospitalization. Some meats may have caused more illnesses but were
less likely to cause severe illness, the
APreported.

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Another Compounding Pharmacy Announces Recall

Another compounding pharmacy in the United States is recalling
all sterile drugs that have not reached their expiry date.

The recall of nearly 100 products was announced by Nora
Apothecary Alternative Therapies of Indianapolis after federal
inspectors found the company's quality control processes had
problems that could compromise the sterility of the products, the
Associated Pressreported.

Compounded drugs that are not sterile can cause infections. The
company said it has not received any reports of illnesses
associated with the drugs, which were made on or before April
19.

A deadly meningitis outbreak last year was caused by
contaminated drugs from a compounding pharmacy in Massachusetts.
Since then, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been
inspecting compounding pharmacies across the country, the
APreported.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.